I have a VH in 223 and it's super accurate

 

I would be wary of later production XS7s made by Remlin. As the X7 parts started to dwindle---Remlin started to use Remington Model 7 barrels which didn't exactly fit the X7 platform well but they made them work, kinda. There is a lot of info about this and other issues in the old X7 threads. I would read them through to become familiar with the cross over between Marlin and Remlin X7 production. From what I remember---X7 rifles had fewer QA/QC problems than the lever guns but there are things to be wary of. BTW--I have two X7s (one made by Remlin out of CT factory parts) and have been very happy with them.
Other Marlin bolt actions---there have been a few. The one you might find locally or on GB is the MR-7, made in the late 1990s. Its a fantastic rifle which came in long action calibers only (30-06/270/280/25-06--could be more but I have CRS). Its a better rifle than the X7 and way better than what is being produced today.​

 

Thanks, Eng! I will look at the MR7. Could be a good candidate for the .35 Whelen I've always wanted.

BTW,.... S2 sec.,HHQ, 5th Engineer Battalion(the fightin' fifth!), Ft. Leonard Wood Mo.

 

I was at Ft Leonard Wood between 1989 and 1992. I served at the U. S. Army Engineer Center and School as a Training Developer/Instructor. I had a great time there even though the Fort was very isolated--spent a lot of my free time fishing/hunting. Here is a recent thread on my 270 Win MR-7 so you can get an idea what they look like: ​

Did a Marlin MR-7 stock "switcheroo"

 

Your best bet in an X7 would be a North Haven (JM) if you want a shooter. Seeing as how you are going to install a Varmint barrel a Mayfield (REP) will work just fine. I have had very few issues with the actions/triggers/bolts on the six REP guns I have. Had to replace the sear on one trigger. One 223 bolt had a bad ejector. The issue with REP guns is barrels. Of the six I have only three would shoot. The 25-06 had a bad crown. Redid the crown and it's a tack driver. One of the 223 barrels wouldn't shoot. Bore scope revealed a gouge across the rifling just in front of the chamber. It's a garden stake. One 243 would flirt with shooting good, but never would. Bore scope revealed it had a crooked throat. Another garden stake. From my small sample it appears you have a 50/50 chance of getting a REP gun with a good barrel. You will be changing the barrel anyway. X-Caliber has prefit SS barrels on sale right now for $280. I have five of their barrels, all are scary accurate. 20 practical, 22-250, 243, 25-06 and 257 Weatherby. All are 26" Varmint (.810 at the muzzle) or Bull Sporter (.710)
Stocks are Boyds Pro Varmint or At-One. I also have a source for Green Mountain CM barrels for ~$200. I have headspace gages, etc. you can borrow if needed. Good luck with your project. Mike

 

Thanks, Mike. I usually go to E R Shaw for my barrels. I have several of their chrome-moly varmint taper barrels, and they are all tack drivers.
The X7 gives me more options in my quest.
I have an AT1 stock on my Marlin XTVH .22, and it groups better than it ever did in it's plastic stock.
For this project, I intend to use a classic stock even though Boyd's insists that the forend is too narrow for varmint weight barrels. I suspect that a liability lawyer is earning his money....

 

I was just going to edit my post about stocks used. My long actions are in the factory laminated stocks. They are bull sporter tapers (.710 @ muzzle) and have plenty of room in the factory stocks and look great. At the point where the barrel exits the stock forearm the bull sporter taper measures ~.830. My varmint barrels (.810 at the muzzle) are ~.870 at the same point. IMO plenty of room for a varmint contour (.810 muzzle) in a factory stock. If I can get a pic to upload, I'll post it Being an old fart, not very good with computers, don't hold your breath.

 

I'm 72. I feel your pain......Thanks

 

Dang, I think I got this. For now. 20 Practical, 22-250, 25-06, 257 Weatherby.

 

Pics of factory forearm opened up for a VH barrel. My current stock 243 is in it now and as you can see plenty of room to fit a VH. I have a Boyds classic in walnut, the forearm tip on the classic is noticeably wider than the forearm tip on the factory stock. IMO the classic will have plenty of room to open up for a VH barrel. Too bad a 308 won't fit in a XL7 stock or you could have the one I have for a song. I'm just a young nub at 70.

 

Mike T49,
I see your wet side of Washington. People from there will appreciate the joke. My In-laws lived in La Conner for years, and my late wife and I had planned to retire to Anecortes before cancer changed her plans. Inmyarrogantopinion, the wet side of Washington is the most beautiful place in America.

 

Mike, It used to be almost paradise for a sportsman. Until the powers that be took a world class steelhead and salmon fishery and turned it into a mere shadow of what it used to be. I moved here because of the fishing. When I found some of the best whitetail hunting I have ever seen on the Dry Side, I thought I was in heaven. The way it is now, I may move back to my home state of Wisconsin. Sad deal, the Wisconsin steelhead/salmon fishery is better now than in Washington. Go figure. Mike

 

I know, it is kind of sad.
Cris and I had always planned to move to, and spend the rest of our lives in Western Washington. After she passed the political climate changed to the point where I don't even want to visit one of the most beautiful places in the world anymore.

 

Spent my first 47 years of my life as a WA state resident. By the late 1990s--I knew that WA was well on its way to becoming little Commiefornia along with Oregon. After retiring from the Army in 2004, settled down in central VA to enjoy the freedoms that the Olde Dominion enjoys. Did a LOT of hunting and fishing here the past 16 years and wouldn't trade it for anything. The Blue State refugees from all points north have moved here during the past 10 years and are ruining my adopted home state. It seems nowhere is safe anymore...…….

 

Yep, instead of using the Wet Side as my location probably should be the Left Side, AAaaaaarrrggh!!!!!

 

I bought my VH in the fall of 2011 as a birthday present to myself. Mine is .308 with a 26" (?) heavy barrel - and it is heavy. It came with a 4x12 scope which is fine although I've had a 3x9 (of better quality I think) for several years but still in the box. On mine, the action is smooth, it's more accurate than I am, and there is really minimal felt recoil, probably in part due to the weight. I really like it a lot. It is really my only longer range rifle. I think it was a bit over $300 when I bought it new. I felt like it was a great value. Sad to see they aren't readily available. Best of luck on your search.

I have a wood stock Marlin .22lr bolt action also. I really enjoy it as well. Marlin seems to be well known for their lever rifles, but I couldn't be happier with my two bolts.

 

Ret Eng, you may need to move a little further west. There seems to be a land that still respects individual river on the south side of the river from here - it's almost heaven.

 

Now THAT is a rifle!! WOW!

 

It'll shoot 115 Nosler Partitions into 1.5" groups or smaller @ 200 yards on demand. 56.5 gr IMR 7977, CCI magnum primer, WW brass, .015 jump. 3,140 fps. You did notice the bolt is on the wrong side? I do have an extra one of these factory laminated stocks if interested. Mike

 

Here is old pics of my 2009 JM XL7W (factory walnut stock) in 30-06. I have been shooting my '52 Rem Mod 721 30-06 a lot lately and need to get this one back out of the gun safe.

Pics of my 2009 Remlin XS7S in 308 Win--JM parts that were assembled and proofed in NY. This rifle is a tac driver with my 150 gr reloads. Its a great inclement weather rifle for the woods.

 

I bought a X7 when first out in 30/06. Very nice looking rifle and shot well with Redfield 4x. I had been kinda looking for pre64 m70 replacement. I always like to keep a BA 30/06 around. My aunt needed a deer rifle for a gift so I gave the Marlin to her. It’s still killing deer up in Pa. the last I herd. All I got left is the owners papers.

 

I have the La Corona 98 Mauser that has a Parker Hale barrel in .308
Everyone tells me that the .308 cartridge in the long 98 action won't be problem. I am still waiting for the bolt to come back from repair so it may be awhile before I get to find out how well that works.
Always looking for .308's, one of my favorite cartridges. Wouldn'r mind a 788 LH in .308, but it's above my pay grade.